Dr David Vella

BSc BVSc (Hons) DABVP (Exotic Companion Mammals)

Dr David Vella is the Director of Sydney Exotics and Rabbit Vets. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science (1992) and a Bachelor of Veterinary Science (1996) – both from the University of Sydney. In 2009, David became a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (DABVP) in Exotic Companion Mammals, the first Australian vet to achieve these credentials. This Diplomate accreditation focuses on the veterinary care of mammals such as rabbits, ferrets and rodents.

Dr Vella was amongst the first vets worldwide to sit the inaugural DABVP examinations in this specialty. Dr Vella has gained extensive clinical experience in treating exotic pets having focussed on this field whilst working in the United Kingdom and Sydney.

Currently volunteering for NSW WIRES (Wildlife Information Rescue & Education Service), Dr Vella is involved in reptile and amphibian rescue. He also trains in handling, rehabilitation, foster care and rescue. Pets at home include several long-necked turtles.

In his spare time he enjoys family time, gardening, music and running/building escape rooms with his wife.

Dr Joanne Sheen

BVM&S CertZooMed DABVP (Exotic Companion Mammals)

Jo graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 2004, and gained her post-graduate qualification in zoological and exotic medicine in 2008. In 2017 Dr
Sheen became a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in
Exotic Companion Mammals. Only the second Australian vet to achieve these
credentials. Jo had a very international upbringing, growing up between Australia, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom. As such, her first pet was a red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans), followed by two chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) that she kept on the roof garden. She was most distraught, when several years later, she came home one day to find these chickens turned into soup!

Outside our busy Sydney hospital, you'll often find Jo walking her dog, a talkative English Staffie. He was rescued five years ago whilst Jo was living in the UK from an uncertain fate in an RSPCA animal abuse case. You will also catch Jo spending her time away from work mostly off solid ground, preferring to either hang around in mid-air (trapeze), or in the depths of the ocean (scuba diving).

Dr Michelle Dalli

BSc BVSc (Hons)

Michelle graduated from the University of Sydney in 2005. Michelle has always had a special interest in exotic pets and wildlife, particularly reptiles. Michelle has worked in various small animal practices in and around Sydney and in North America and also ran her own mobile veterinary service for reptiles for about 2 years.

Michelle has worked with Sydney Exotics and Rabbit Vets since 2010 and is "loving it". Michelle particularly enjoys surgery and the challenges that performing even routine procedures in exotics provides. Michelle has developed a strong interest in exotic companion mammal medicine along side her ongoing love for reptile work. Michelle also treats all types of native wildlife.

In Michelle's 'spare' time, she looks after her two children that share her love for animals. Their pets include dogs, rabbits, ferrets, reptiles and chickens..

Dr Cathy Hudson

BSc. BVSc. MANZCVS (Unusual Pets)

Dr Cathy Hudson BSc. BVSc. MANZCVS (Unusual Pets) Cathy graduated with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science in 1997 from the University of Queensland. After several years in large animal practice and equine specialist practice, she moved to practise veterinary medicine in England for 4 years. Here her interest in small mammals, rabbits and ferrets developed. On returning to Australia, Cathy has completed many further education studies, including a 1 year course in veterinary ophthalmology.

In 2013 she completed her membership exams for the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (MANZCVS) in Unusual (Exotic) pets. Cathy has a particular interest in rabbit and small mammal medicine and ophthalmology. She also very much enjoys treating reptile and amphibian patients, as well as native wildlife. She lives in Sydney with her husband and 2 young boys.

Dr Yui Tsutsumi

BVSc (Hons)

Yui graduated with a Bachelor or Veterinary Science from the University of Queensland in 2012. Realising owning rabbits was illegal in QLD, she moved to NSW as soon as she graduated!

After working in a 24 hour veterinary hospital in Sydney, Yui decided to move to England to increase her skills in exotic animal medicine. This allowed her to gain invaluable experience working in busy exotic referral practices and learning from exotic medicine experts in Europe. Her patients ranged from 20g African pygmy dormice to 90kg boa constrictors, as well a lot of African grey parrots, chinchillas, rabbits and tortoises! She is currently completing a zoological medicine certificate through the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

Having grown up in Japan, Yui was always surrounded by small creatures from a young age. She enjoys working with all kinds of exotic pets and wildlife, but she has a soft spot for small mammals, particularly rabbits.

Yui’s family currently consists of Oreo, the very food oriented Dutch cross rabbit, Nutella, the cat who was ‘raised’ by rabbits and happily nibbles banana, and a husband, who has been successfully converted into a crazy rabbit guy! In her spare time, she enjoys drawing, tap dancing and watching musical theatre.

Dr Simon Wai-Shing

BVSc (Hons)

 Simon graduated with first class honours from the University of Sydney in 2010. 

After working in mixed and small animal practice he moved to the UK for 2 years where he worked in an exotic specialist practice and travelled around Europe. After returning to Sydney, Simon completed a one year rotating internship position at the Small Animal Specialist Hospital and then joined the team at the Sydney Exotic and Rabbit Vets in 2020.

Simon enjoys working with all exotic species including rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, rats, reptiles and even the odd axolotl! Simon also has an interest in birds having completed the Master of Veterinary Medicine Course in Avian Medicine through Massey University in 2014. He is currently completing his Certificate of Advanced Veterinary Practice in Zoological Medicine through the University of Edinburgh. 

Outside of work Simon enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking, canyoning and podcasting.